Maidens travel to Brownfield tomorrow

Strategy session--
New Maiden Coach Traci Pierce gives senior libero Alyssa Wade tips during district play versus Estacado on Sept. 26. The Maidens moved to 2-0 in district with the 25-7, 25-9, 25-11 win over the Matadors.

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The Maidens take their perfect district record to Brownfield at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

The Maidens haven’t dropped a game in district play after taking down Estacado, 25-7, 25-9, 25-11 on Sept. 26, bringing their record to 25-7 overall and 2-0 in district.

At the helm for the Maidens this year is Coach Traci Pierce who replaced longtime Coach Jacqueline Horton. Pierce, who came from Tatum, N.M., has been coaching for over 30 years. The transition has been smooth for the players.

“Playing for Coach Pierce has already been a different but great experience,” senior libero Alyssa Wade said. “She’s done nothing but push us, encourage us, and bring out the best of us. She’s definitely been a big reason why we’ve been so successful. She always has something new for us to learn, and I’m excited to see where she takes us.”

For senior players, the need to succeed in their last year was important. “I was nervous about getting a new coach and what that would mean for my senior year,” said senior outside hitter Taylor Roberts, who recorded her 500th kill this season against Estacado. “I know now having Coach Pierce will be a good thing for this year. Going in, we had a different style of defense, but once we got used to hers, it helped our team cover the court better. She has also helped some of my teammates improve. Now Hayvn [Perez] can dig some of the hardest hits and make them right to target consistently without a problem.”

The Maidens have had few losses this season, making up a strong defense against bigger schools. “We have been playing some of our best ball,” senior setter Jodie Vaughn said. “Season is going really well, and we are getting along too. We know we have a shot to go far, but we can’t look past the next game. We have to keep our eyes focused on our opponents.”

Levelland and Denver City are the competition in District 2-4A.

“They are good, but we are too,” junior outside hitter Mikenzie Stokes said. “I think they seem difficult because they play differently than we are used to. I think district will be easy otherwise. We do not have much competition, but we will definitely bring our best every time. Everyone brings their A-game to play Seminole because they expect us to do the same.”

With every match, the Maidens look for ways to improve.

“My goal is to become a better leader and communicate better on the court,” Stokes said. “Right now we have been working on communication and tips. Sometimes to practice communicating we play games. The other day we played 10-foot line to 10-foot line which is where we shorten the court and have to talk to each other to make sure we do not lose by hitting it outside the line.”

As the Maidens continue through district, they look for ways to get better and farther into the playoffs. “I think what I am looking forward to the most is to see how much more our team will grow and how much more success we’re going to have,” Wade said. “It’s been great so far, and I’m looking forward to what’s coming.”